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Combined multi-set inventory and employee tracking using location based tracking device systemRelated Patent Categories: Registers, Systems Controlled By Data Bearing Records, InventoryCombined multi-set inventory and employee tracking using location based tracking device system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060186201, Combined multi-set inventory and employee tracking using location based tracking device system. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to assembly job tracking, and more particularly to systems and methods for the combined tracking of multi-set inventory and employees for job assembly processes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Conventional assembly job tracking systems rely on employee input. Employee input may include some level of automation, e.g., swiping a magnetic card, stamping time cards, or the like, but generally require some form of manual data entry into the tracking system. Some conventional tracking systems include one or more data entry stations. The data entry stations are typically located in central locations within assembly floors to facilitate the data entry task. Data entry for tracking purposes requires time that would better used to assemble or manufacture the final products, i.e., generating income. However, there is still some time wasted in the entry of tracking data. For example, even if the entry station is centrally located, entry of tracking data, e.g., job number and time between assembly process steps, requires employees to travel back and forth to the data entry station. [0003] In addition, this time consuming data entry process is subject to errors in the tracking data collected. Since in most circumstances there is some amount of data that is manually entered by the employees, human error becomes a factor in the integrity of the data collected. In addition, the conventional tracking process relies heavily on worker discipline, e.g., requires the employee to remember to enter tracking data between jobs. The amount of data collected is generally very limited in an effort to expedite the process since the tracking data entry takes up valuable labor time that could more efficiently be used in the assembly process. [0004] Due to the limited amount of tracking data collected, accurate account of the status of each job and the location of the job's inventory typically becomes a manual audit by actually walking the assembly area. Further, with the limited amount of tracking data it is difficult to detect assembly steps causing bottlenecks, what the most efficient use of the equipment is, or to accurately track worker efficiency, worked hours, and the like. [0005] Accordingly, there is a need for an assembly job tracking system that automatically tracks simultaneously different pieces of inventory for a job, employee efficiency and working time, and actual locations of inventory "in progress" to efficiently track and report various parameters of job related assembly, including time, cost, status, and equipment and employee related efficiencies. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] Automated tracking of sets of inventory components of an assembly job and the employees who work on their assembly is performed based on tracking devices associated with each set of inventory and with each employee. The tracking devices are used to determine the location of the inventory and employees within an assembly area. The determination of the location of each component/employee and timestamps associated with changes in location provides a basis for tracking the timing of the assembly process. The location and timing information is combined with other information to automate the generation of reports for the assembly process. For example, automated reports can be generated with information regarding job invoice based on time and materials used, order tracking within the assembly process, forecasts for job completion, machine utilization, employee efficiency, and the like. [0007] In one embodiment, a computer-based method for tracking inventory and labor associated with an assembly job includes tracking the location of two or more inventory items associated with the assembly job. The method includes tracking the location of an employee with respect to the location of inventory items associated with the assembly job. Information relating to changes in location of inventory items and of employees, including the times at which the changes in location take place, is recorded. The recorded information is used to provide a report associated with the assembly job that includes information related to time required for completion steps of the assembly job. [0008] In another embodiment, a computer-based method for tracking an assembly job with a plurality of inventory sets in a multi-step assembly process includes determining a first assembly location in which a first inventory set is located based on tracking data received from a first inventory tracking device in the first inventory set. The assembly location is associated with a step of the assembly process. The method also includes determining a second assembly location in which an employee is located. The location is determined based on tracking data received from an employee-tracking device of that employee. This assembly location could be the same location in which the first inventory set is located. The method also includes determining a change in assembly location of the first inventory set from the first location to another location associated with another step of the assembly process. The time for the first assembly step is recorded based on the assembly locations of the inventory set and the employee and based on the change in location of the inventory set. [0009] According to another embodiment, a computer-based method for tracking an assembly job with a plurality of inventory sets in a multi-step assembly process by multiple employees includes receiving data from an inventory wireless tag of a first inventory set. The method also includes receiving data from an employee wireless tag of an employee. An assembly location where the inventory wireless tag and the employee wireless tag are is determined. Then job data for the assembly process step is recorded. The job data includes the data from the inventory wireless tag, the data from the employee wireless tag, and identifying information for that assembly location. [0010] In addition, the method includes receiving data from another employee wireless tag of a second employee. A second assembly location is determined where the inventory wireless tag and the second employee wireless tag are based on the data received from the wireless tag of the second employee and a second reception of data from the inventory wireless tag. As before, job data for the second assembly process step that takes place in the second assembly location is recorded. The job data includes the data received in the second reception from the inventory wireless tag, the data from the second employee wireless tag, and identifying information for the second assembly location. The method includes analyzing the stored job data to provide a report of the assembly job. The report includes times, assembly locations of the inventory sets, and assembly locations of the employees throughout the multi-step assembly process. [0011] In another embodiment, assembly locations are associated with wireless stations and to determining locations includes receiving data from the wireless station associated with the corresponding assembly location. Another embodiment includes triangulating the source of the wireless signals transmitted by the tracking devices to determine locations. In yet another embodiment, the assembly locations include a wireless tracking device that is used to determine the location. [0012] The features and advantages described in the specification are not all inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1A shows one embodiment of a wireless-based assembly job tracking system. [0014] FIG. 1B shows a functional block diagram for one embodiment of a system controller. [0015] FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a wireless-based assembly job tracking system. [0016] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a wireless-based assembly job tracking system. [0017] FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of an assembly job tracking system. [0018] FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of one embodiment of an assembly job tracking method. [0019] FIG. 6 shows a sample data analysis report output based on job tracking data according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0020] FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of one embodiment of a job programming process. Continue reading about Combined multi-set inventory and employee tracking using location based tracking device system... 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